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Is University of California-Merced worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for University of California-Merced, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Workable
University of California-Merced lands in the workable band for a typical family. Median debt of $16,144 can be carried by median long-run earnings of $64,368, but the margin is not huge. For context, University of California-Merced's net price is about 1% above the typical 4-year, public school. This is the kind of school where your actual aid offer can move the answer meaningfully.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$13,232
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrNet price is slightly above average
You'd pay about $78 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $0 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$11,983
Median earnings 10 years out
$64,368
Median debt at graduation
$16,144
Graduation rate
69%
At University of California-Merced, a typical graduate carries about $16,144 in student debt and earns roughly $64,368 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $184 per month, or 3% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
University of California-Merced is a public four year school in Merced, CA. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
San Francisco State
San Francisco, CA
Worth-It Score: 69/100
Median net price: $12,278
Public 4-year
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA
Worth-It Score: 90/100
Median net price: $12,470
Public 4-year
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Pomona, CA
Worth-It Score: 78/100
Median net price: $11,531
Public 4-year
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Worth-It Score: 91/100
Median net price: $12,548
Public 4-year
Sonoma State
Rohnert Park, CA
Worth-It Score: 72/100
Median net price: $12,885
Common questions about University of California-Merced
The median net price at University of California-Merced is $11,983 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in California? See the most affordable public universities in California →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →